10 years ago: science learning centres

First mooted in the Labour party election manifesto in 2001, a new network of science learning centres is to be established across the country. Recently, the White Rose consortium of York, Leeds, Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam universities won a bid to host the National Science Learning Centre in York. The director of the centre is John Holman, Salter professor of chemical education at the University of York.

When the programme is complete it will comprise nine regional centres across the country with the flagship national centre in York. Science teachers will be offered a wide range of continuing professional development courses in purpose-built facilities, with intensive residential courses being offered at the national centre in York.

Chemistry World (August 2004)

Ed. The National Science Learning Centre opened its door in October 2004, and in the following years the nine proposed regional centres were opened in Hertfordshire, Leicester, London, Durham, Manchester, Southampton, Bristol, Keele and Sheffield.

In 2014, John Holman, founding director of the National Science Learning Centre, received the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Lord Lewis Prize in recognition of his extensive influence over chemistry education policy, and appeared on the Science Council’s list of the UK’s 100 leading practising scientists.